A Length of Jishiro Katazome: Bold Deeply Toned Pattern

late nineteenth, early twentieth century
32" x 13 1/4", 81.25 cm x 33.5 cm

What a lovely, graphic length of high-contrast katazome dyed cotton cloth. 

The pattern of this cloth is boldly rendered.  The background is a repeat of karakusa or trailing vine and in front are stylized peonies. The blue-on-white aspect of this katazome cloth is called jishiro as opposed to the more often seen white-on-blue katazome cotton.

Although there has been wear to this rustic piece of katazome cotton cloth--especially noticed on the top, left hand side where there is fading-- the overall effect is one of life and vigor, and this is a wonderful length of stencil resist cotton. 

The cotton is almost assuredly hand spun and hand woven.

Beautiful.